
FRESH-WATER AQUARIUM. 489 
pin. On closer examination we find that they are the eyes 
of avery small fish. Their growth is so slow that in order 
to preserve them it will be well to remove them to a small 
tank by themselves, where they can be fed by placing a 
piece of raw beef on the end of a string, and hanging it over 
the edge of the tank into the water until it is turned white, 
When another piece can be introduced. The stickleback, as 
also the minnows, is easily accustomed to fresh water by 
freshening the salt-water gradually until it is quite fresh and: 
then introducing the fish into the tank. The stickleback is 
hot the only fresh water, nest building, fish, Wood men- 
tions a curious fish found in tropical America, called by the 
natives the hassar; a fish which builds a nest as carefully as 
the stickleback, though one “not placed in the water but in 
@ muddy hole just above the surface." Whether we have 
gold fish or not in the aquarium, is a matter of taste, some 
Persons thinking that they give the aquarium a common fish- 
globe look. It seems to me if we can get some small ones 
of a brilliant color, and of good proportions, we should be 
glad to receive them into the tank. The great trouble with 
gold fish is that they are apt to be so deformed, some with 
the gaunt look of a starved fish, others with a hump on the 
back or a larger or smaller number of fins than usual. 
Gold fish would be worth keeping in the aquarium for their 
remarkable color alone if for nothing more. 
. Small eels and horned pouts add to the variety of fishes 
ae the aquarium, but both are so uneasy and so very vora- 
“ious that they are not pleasing inmates of the tank; wan- 
ering up and down the sides of the tank, they seem discon- 
ted and ill at ease. Young alewives are so beautiful that 
€ is tempted to try them in the aquarium; rarely do they 
in it 
.. One of the most interesting animals for the aquarium is 
“te triton, or water-newt; these tritons are often found in 
What are called, in the country, pond holes, seldom in brooks 
9r ponds; they are perfectly harmless and will remain on the 
j 62 
AMER. NATURALIST, VOL. III. 
